Ed Reed will make Jets debut against Bills

Rex Ryan started his press conference today with an announcement, though the proclamation was news to no one in the room.

"We signed a safety today, a guy named Ed Reed," the Jets coach said.

By that point, the five-time All-Pro safety had already practiced with his new team, wearing a green No. 22 jersey. To dispel any doubt, though, Ryan noted that Reed with make his debut with the Jets Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

Reed will not play every snap, as he used to for Ryan in Baltimore. Nor will he start, Ryan said. Antonio Allen will hold his position alongside Dawan Landry. But Ryan said he is confident enough in Reed's conditioning -- even as his playing time diminished over the past two weeks with the Houston Texans, who cut Reed Tuesday -- that Reed can perform any task the Jets ask of him.

"We put him in some defenses to see what he could remember a little bit, with his partner out there Landry, and here we go," Ryan said of practice today. "It's like he hadn't missed a beat."

Ryan said the Jets pursued Reed because, based on game tape studied by the team's scouting department, he still moved well.

"I believe he is in excellent shape," Ryan said.

Reed also has intimate knowledge of Ryan's defense, which he excelled in while Ryan was defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens from 2005-08. Ryan said Reed, for now, will be used to compliment the secondary and confuse opposing offenses. Reed's play-making ability provides Ryan more play-calling options. There will be plenty of snaps for everyone to walk off the field satisfied.

"We have some young talent, some ascending talent," Ryan said. "With us, we can play everybody. We'll play three safeties, two safeties, one safety. We'll do all kinds of different things. We have multiple personnel groupings."

Ben Kotwica, the Jets' special teams coordinator, said Reed might also participate on special teams. With the Ravens, Reed was a dangerous punt returner.